Ditch maintenance with a BX

[JeffInCO]

I posted previously about possibly buying a higher horsepower (probably in the 47 to 57 range) Grand L to do a number of tasks on our 20 acres. Some of the tasks are garden/lawn maintenance near the house, and also a little work to help with a remodel that we're planning on the house. Other tasks (in the future) are more farming related (plowing, ditch work, etc). For what it's worth, I already have an almost 60-year-old Fergusson TO30 that runs good but could use a break while I re-build its 3-point.

At this point, I'm thinking of putting off the Grand L purchase and buying something much smaller (BX 22/23/24) for the around-the-house chores, then re-evaluating later for the larger chores.

There is one thing that I'd like to be able to do in the near term, though, for which I'm wondering if the BX would be suitable. Specifically, I have some existing irrigation ditches that need to be maintained. By "maintained", I mean clearing weeds out and keeping the depth where it's supposed to be. I'd like to use the BX's backhoe, but the problem is that the BX cannot straddle the ditch. From berm to berm, the ditch is about 3 1/2 feet wide.

In some ways, the BX would be better than a larger tractor for the ditch maintenance task as there are a few tight spots where the BX might fit just fine while a larger machine would not.

Does anyone have any tips as to how I could work the backhoe in a ditch of this width with a sub-compact like a BX?

If the BX is a bad idea for ditch maintenance, then maybe I should go back to the Grand L plus the backhoe (BH90). Obviously, a Grand L is a lot more machine, but also a LOT more dollars and it will also have some limitations for the around-the-house chores because of its larger size.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Slice]

I have a bx as most say i wish i could have a little bigger tractor...dont cut yourself short if you can afford it do it...

 

[IC Smoke]

I dont think you would be happy with the backhoe reach on the BX to get into the ditch. The power and speed of the hoe is limited as well.

Why not look into a B26 or L39? You could drop the backhoe (quick-attach) and put a rear mount mower on cut the grass.

The B26 or L39 would have greater power and hyd speed, you could also put a ditch bucket on them.

.02
Ian

edit:
Kubota's site on Tractor Loader Backhoes...
http://kubota.com/f/products/tlb.cfm

 

[JeffInCO]

What are the major differences between the TLB's and the L-series? Is it that the TLB's come with the loader and backhoe, while these are options on an "L"? For comparison purposes, what would the differences be between a Grand-L 4740 (equipped with an LA854 and BH90) and an L48, for instance? Why would I purchase one over the other?

Is the loader removable on the TLB's? (Obviously the backhoe is.)

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[ChuckinNH]

Here are a couple of threads with ideas on what might work with a BX if the soil is decent.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/65175-lets-talk-about-bh-buckets.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/122571-backhoe-bucket-grader-scraper-blade.html

 

[CHDinCT]

Well, I'm not by a mile the most qualified to answer your question on the L with backhoe vs L39 TLB, but from what I've read, the TLB series is a bit more tailored to loader and backhoe work due to higher hydraulic pressure/flow to the loader and backhoe resulting in quicker motion and better performance spec's. I think I read that the 3PH capacity of the TLB series is lower, however. You might take a look at the loader and backhoe spec's of the L39 vs the GL4740 with loader and backhoe.

I'm sure if I"m off on my facts here, someone with more information will be along to set them straight.